Can an Electric Vehicle Help Power a Home?

Can an EV really power your home? Yes, it can — thanks to a new technology called bi-directional charging.

What is Bi-directional EV charging?

Bi-directional charging is an innovative technology that lets electric vehicles (EVs) use power from the grid to charge and send energy back. This means an EV can:
 

• Charge its battery from the grid
• Help power essential devices and appliances in a home or when electricity rates are higher
• Send energy back to the grid
   

This technology is also known as vehicle-grid-integration (VGI), vehicle-to-grid (V2G), or vehicle-to-everything (V2X). With a bi-directional charger, electricity can move both ways—from the grid to an EV and from the EV to a home or back to the grid.

So, an EV owner could use the energy stored in their EV to power important devices when there’s a power outage or to help lower their grid usage and costs when electric rates are higher.  In the future, EV owners may even be compensated for sending energy back to the grid during times of high demand.

Benefits of Bi-directional charging

1. Better Backup Power
   If the power goes out, an EV with a bi-directional charger can help keep your lights, fridge, and other important appliances, devices and services running.
2. Save Money
   EV owners can charge their EV when electric rates are lower, then use the stored energy when rates are higher. Some demand response programs may reward EV owners who send energy back to the grid during busier, high demand times.
3. Helps the Environment
   EV owners can store extra energy from renewable sources, like solar, in their EV battery and use this energy to help power their home instead of pulling from the grid. This cuts down on fossil fuel use and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
4. A More Stable Grid
   When there are instances of very high demand, like a summer heat wave, the grid can get stressed. EV owners with bi-directional charging can help by sending energy back to support and maintain the energy system.

PG&E’s Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) Program
 

There are over 700,000 EVs in PG&E’s Northern and Central California service area—more than anywhere else in the country. PG&E has a goal to support 3 million EVs by 2030, with 2 million of them using bi-directional charging.

To help make this technology easier to use and more affordable, PG&E is running the largest V2X pilot program in the U.S. This program supports clean energy goals and will help PG&E learn the best ways to use bi-directional charging for customers and grid stability.

V2X Program incentives
 

For homeowners (V2X Residential)
 

• Get $2,500 upfront (or $3,000 for qualified customers)
• Get an extra $1,500 Early Adopter Bonus if you’re one of the first 250 to enroll
   

For businesses (V2X Commercial)
 

• Up to $2,500 upfront (or $3,000 in qualifying areas) for installing a 3-phase bidirectional charger under 50 kW
• Up to $4,500 upfront (or $5,000 in qualifying areas) for installing a 3-phase bidirectional charger that is 50 kW or more
   

For microgrids (V2X Microgrids)

• Up to $5,000 for sending stored energy to the grid during high-demand times for those auto-enrolled in PG&E’s Emergency Load Reduction Program (ELRP)
• These can be combined with the Residential or Commercial incentives

Want to learn more?

Visit pge.com/VGI to explore bi-directional charging and see how the V2X program can benefit you.

About the author

Paul Doherty is PG&E communications representative who specializes in utility innovation and emerging technologies. Including microgrids, battery energy storage, artificial intelligence, vehicle-grid-integration, virtual power plants, technology partnerships and research and development.